Birthday boy of the month I: Günter Haarmann turns 85

He quickly became a valuable youth player for the Werkself albeit at first in attack. He won the district the title with the U15s, the Middle Rhine championship with the U17s and with the U19s in 1956 he progressed to the final of the West German championships again Schalke 04. The first game ended all square at 4-4 with Haarmann scoring two goals. Leverkusen lost the replay 3-2. Alongside Günter Haarmann were Heinz Höher, Egon Rosinski and Helmut Weber All future first-team players and Haarmann was a regular first choice from 1958. He won the Oberliga West 2 with Bayer 04 four years later and he played one season in the Oberliga West 1 with his teammates. Highlights there included home games against FC Köln and Schalke 04 in front of almost full houses at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium.

from striker to defender

Haarmann's coaches were convinced that his qualities were more valuable in defence so he became a defender. But he did not lose his ability to score. A couple of years later, the Leverkusen-born player became a first choice in the team that won the Regional League West in 1968 and just missed out on promotion to the Bundesliga in the play-off against Kickers Offenbach. After over 500 games for Bayer 04 (including friendlies), the chemical laboratory assistant at Bayer AG could no longer agree a new contract with the club so he joined SV Bergfied in Leverkusen as a player coach. He later went on to coach at Aufderhöhe and in Monheim.

Günter Haarmann went into a well deserved retirement after 38 years working for the chemical company. He has been a member of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen for over 70 years and has lived with his wife in Küppersteg for over 50 years. He still watches his club’s home games today whenever he can.

Dear Günter, I wish you many happy returns and above all good health